LED lights for critical applications such as vehicle lights, streetlamps and emergency lights are even more dependable and long-lasting thanks to a new fault-management chip from STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications.

The new chip, the LBP01, is used in lamps that comprise multiple channels each containing several LEDs. Without the LBP01, failure of a single LED can extinguish an entire channel, significantly reducing total light output and demanding early replacement. The LBP01 bypasses failed LEDs so that the lamp can continue producing near-maximum illumination. This improves performance and safety, and can yield valuable savings for operators such as city authorities, as the total cost of replacing a streetlamp can be as much as $700.

The LBP01 delivers some important advantages over comparable devices in the market. By offering the flexibility to use one bypass for every two LEDs, it enables designers to reduce bill-of-materials costs, as competing devices typically can only bypass one LED each. It also provides built-in surge protection to help prevent LED failures occurring.

Markets for safety-oriented LED signage and lighting, including automotive lighting and streetlighting, are predicted to exceed $5 billion by 2015. The LBP01 can also be used to enhance LED-backlight longevity in LCD panels for a wide variety of applications. To maximize design-in opportunities, ST is offering the LBP01 in two package options giving designers the choice of a 3.95 x 5.6 mm SMB package to replace competing devices directly or a 3 x 3.05 mm SOT23-5 package enabling a more compact solution.

The LBP01 is in production now, priced from $0.19 in the SOT23-5 package or $0.21 in the SMB package, for orders over 1,000 pieces. Alternative pricing options for higher quantities are available on request.

About STMicroelectronics ST is a global leader in the semiconductor market serving customers across the spectrum of sense and power technologies and multimedia convergence applications. From energy management and savings to trust and data security, from healthcare and wellness to smart consumer devices, in the home, car and office, at work and at play, ST is found everywhere microelectronics make a positive and innovative contribution to people's life. By getting more from technology to get more from life, ST stands for life.augmented.
In 2011, the Company’s net revenues were $9.73 billion. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.